Vakil Help Desk News: noting 2,423 pending corruption cases, the Madras High Court has directed the State, with the High Court, to examine whether exclusive special courts are needed and to ensure speedy trials.
Vakil Help Desk News, Litigation & Courts. The Madras High Court has directed the State, in consultation with the High Court, to examine whether exclusive special courts are needed to clear corruption cases, noting that 2,423 such cases are pending across Tamil Nadu. Justice B. Pugalendhi of the Madurai Bench issued the directions in A. Shahul Hameed v. State of Tamil Nadu & Others (Crl OP (MD) No. 11066 of 2026).
The petitioner, an accused whose corruption trial had seen only two witnesses examined in three years, sought expeditious disposal under the Prevention of Corruption Act, which contemplates day-to-day trials concluded within two years. The Court noted that such cases were being loaded onto district and sessions courts already carrying heavy dockets.
The Court directed that the State consider district-wise pendency for new special courts, provide the necessary infrastructure, staff and prosecutors, and that principal district and sessions judges prioritise these cases, aim for day-to-day trials, and record reasons where the statutory period is exceeded.
What this means for you
Corruption trials are meant to be fast-tracked; the courts are pushing for dedicated special courts and resources to clear the large backlog.